Halo Infinite's unveiling last year was met with more than a little disappointment. From the visuals to the gameplay to Microsoft's admission that it had a totally different team putting together the announcement than the one working on the game, fans were reeling with frustration to the point Microsoft opted to delay the game a full year to allow more time for developers to build a complete vision. After Microsoft's 2021 E3 conference and the follow-up multiplayer event, it looks like the delay was well worth it.
While there has been little discussion of the campaign, Developer 343 Industries has shown enough Halo Infinite multiplayer details that fans are already praising it. Game delays are often met with mixed feelings. Some fans express anger and frustration that they have to wait even longer, while others lament that they would rather wait and have a better product when the game finally arrives. It's a tough landscape to navigate, but it seems like Microsoft got it right this time around.
That Halo franchise has been on a bumpy road with its recent outings, with players having mixed feelings for Halo 4 and mostly underwhelming reactions to Halo 5. For many, Microsoft and 343 in particular, Halo Infinite marks a spiritual reboot of the Halo franchise that seeks to take the game back to its once incredible roots. With massively disappoint game launches a major concern, Halo Infinite couldn't afford that. Given the extra time, though, 343 went to work creating an epic multiplayer experience that looks to capture the highs of the franchise's great heights while also adding some much-needed improvement to bring it into the modern-day.
Halo Infinite's New Look
Simple things like the grappling hook that were showed off in last year's announcement had players interested, but now 343 has shown all the varieties of ways players can incorporate the new feature. From launching themselves across a room to flank someone to snatching up a choice weapon drop to grabbing onto a speeding vehicle, Halo Infinite fans have much to be excited about. Arguably the best thing 343 showed, though, was the massive Spartan customization the game features. With countless options already in play, fans can jump right into designing their new look. Fans will even get the joy of the Halo Waypoint app making a comeback to make things even more streamlined.
Fans also won't have to worry about countless entry barriers for the multiplayer since that component of the game is going free-to-play. In an ever-changing industry that shooters like Fortnite and Apex Legends have upended, it's incredibly refreshing to see Microsoft not only take this approach with Halo Infinite but also support it long-term in a major way. The announcement that Halo's new multiplayer will have no pay-to-win mechanics or loot boxes alone would be enough for most players to rejoice. Microsoft and 343 have gone a step further, though, in creating what could be the new model for Battle Pass systems in games.
The fact that Halo Infinite Battle Passes won't expire and players will be able to choose which season they wish to progress at a given point is a great move. Add to it that there won't be a way for players to buy their way to the top and all the cosmetics will have to be earned makes for an even more rewarding multiplayer system. All of this pairs with what the gameplay shows to be a major commitment to the fun and frantic style that makes Halo great. 343 showed off tons of footage featuring their attention to detail in all the guns and new abilities, as well as the map flows and game modes. Halo Infinite is set to release this holiday so players can finally see for themselves, but from the looks of the E3 Showcase, players should be pleasantly surprised.